Five Mexican states have been placed on a state of alert after a truck carrying a container of dangerous radioactive material was stolen, the Mexican Interior Ministry has said. The material could cause permanent or serious injury to a person who is in contact with it for a short time, and is fatal when exposure lasts for more than a few hours.

Five Mexican states have been placed on a state of alert after a truck carrying a container of dangerous radioactive material was stolen, the Mexican Interior Ministry has said.

AFP reports that the Office of National Co-ordination of Civil Protection issued the warning after a truck carrying radioactive iridium-192 was stolen from a company in the central state of Queretaro,

The radioactive material is understood to be contained in a device used for industrial radiography, according to CNN.

The police say that it is not yet clear whether the radioactive material was the target of the people who stole the truck.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that such material “can be dangerous for people if not handled safely” and could cause “permanent or serious injury to a person who is handling or in contact with it for a short time.”

Officials added that the radioactive material could pose serious health risk if taken out of its container.

The Daily Mailreports that the truck and the radioactive material belonged to the company Industrial Maintenance Center, located in the city of San Juan del Rio.

In addition to Queretaro, the states of Hidalgo, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, and Michoacan were also put on alert.

Experts note that iridium-192 can cause burns, radiation sickness, and permanent injury if a person comes into contact with it. Exposure to the material for more than few hours is fatal.

The Mexican authorities have urged people who spot the truck or the radioactive material to stay at least thirty meters away from it, and notify officials immediately.

CBS News reports that theft of radioactive material is common in Mexico, with this latest incident being the fourth such theft since 2013.